The American beer industry includes 2,851 brewing establishments, 3,728 distributors and 576,353 retailers.

Jointly commissioned by the Beer Institute (BI) and the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), the Beer Serves America study shows that the industry generates more than two million American jobs, accounting for nearly $79 billion in wages and benefits and more than $246.6 billion in economic activity. The industry also contributed $49.1 billion dollars in the form of business, personal and consumption taxes in 2012.

According to the study, the beer industry directly employs nearly 1.1 million people, paying nearly $31.8 billion in wages and benefits, among brewers, distributors and retailers, such as supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars and stadiums. Indirectly, the industry generates nearly $153.2 billion in economic activity in agriculture, manufacturing, construction, transportation and other sectors.

The Beer Serves America economic impact study was conducted by John Dunham & Associates based in New York City and covers data compiled in 2012. The complete study, including state-by-state and congressional district breakdowns of economic contributions, is available at www.BeerServesAmerica.org.